Specific detections of the early process of the glycation reaction by fructose and glucose in diabetic rat lens

The glycation reaction by fructose, as well as that by glucose, in control and diabetic rat lens was analyzed by using antibodies which specifically r ecognize adducts of lysine with fructose and with glucose. Levels of fructo se adducts in diabetic rat lens mere 2.5 times that of the control, and cor related with sorbitol levels. This was mainly due to enhanced glycation of beta- and gamma-crystallins by fructose under diabetic conditions. These da ta suggest that glycation by fructose may also play a role in cataract form ation under conditions of diabetes and aging. (C) 1998 Federation of Europe an Biochemical Societies.